Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1887-05-12
A NEW RACKET.


''CadSing' as it Has Been introduced by the
Tramp Fraternity-H Recently Bereayed
Chicago Widows Are Worked for Old
Clothes.
Chicago later Ocean
Il have heard with deep regrets OF your
bereavement. madame, and knowing that
you are charitably inclined, | have called
to see if you would aid me in procuring
employment. | have wife and three
children dependent upon me for living
am promised work in ten different
stores If can make myself presentable.
You have no further use for them-they
will only tend TO call forth painful recol.
lectlons. / mean the clothes OF Mr.
49, =" The lady in deep mourning
and eyes bedimmed with tears, readily
assented, and in few moments ser
want appeared with good sized bundle
of clothing, the door closed, the petit
toner left house on Washington boule-
ward, where death had visited the night
before, turned the next corner, met a
confederate, delivered the bundle TO him,
and the latest Eastern racket had worked
to a nicely.
Curious to get more thorough insight
into the business, a reporter visited a
well known resort of the apostles
the apostles of "cadging" on Washing
near Franklin. The place is a
low, dingy, and filthy groggery demon
mated by the genus tramp, whose head
quarters it has been for years, the Sew
err A dozen or more of the fraternity
were collected about the stove, smoking,
chewing, expectorating, and narratng
fables. Presently
LULL TO THE PROCEEDINGS
was occasioned by the appearance of a
comparatively well.dressed man. "Poys,"
quoth he, handing three of them slip
each, ode gots are goot to-day, All big
fellers up in der avenues. Come round
to der sthore and wash your mugs und
fms
The reporter recognized the speaker
as well known Madison street pawn
broker. The trio accompanied him to
the sign of the three golden spheres, and
a moment later emerged with clean faces
and somber looks. Each was accompan-
led by a confederate. They were armed
with the residences and names of men
who had died the previous night, copied
from the death notices contained in the
morning papers. The reporter singled
out a pair and followed them down to
Clark street. Here the two boarded a
north bound street car, riding as far as
Lincoln Park. Following them the re-
porter was carried down Garfield avenue.
| The pair were IN advance of the scribe
about 100 yards. Suddenly the 'uuwash-
ed" party turned corner The other
kept on until house was reached, in
front of which he halted. There had
been death in the house, as was evidenc-
ed by long piece of Grape pendant from
the door knob.
IN THE MAN TIMGDLY RANG
the bell. and domestic answered the
summons. The caller desired to see the
lady of the house. The lady could not
be seen. A great bereRyement--th loss
of her husband so worked upon her
that she was confined to her room. The
caller was not to be put off in this way.
He insisted mildly, yet emphaticaly, and
the lady of whom he was in quest soon
came to the door. The same story that was
poured into the mpathetic ears of
theWashingtonb boulevard widow was given
here, and was equally successful, for, q
bundle was the outcome of the converse
ton. As before toe, the clothes were
handed to the man around the corner.
Three other houses were visited, only one
of which, however, any clothes were got
ten from. And so, with the bundles, the
pair returned the way they came, obtain
ed the ready cash for the fruits of their
labors, 'and returned TO the "Sewer."
where they spent the money obtained in
this manner
"Cadging' is comparatively new in
sutton in Chicago. A good strike is very
often productive of an entire outfit of
suits including broadcloths and fine linen
underwear. Johnny" Dugan, smooth.
tongued J onny" brought the practic
West some months age, and it will soon
assume the proportions it holds in New
York and Philadelphia.